Laying out the headblock

[Allen L Wall]

Greetings to all

I am building a guitar according to "Guitarmaking: Tradition & Technology". In the chapter 'The Neck & The Headpiece' Step 8 says to mark the end of the headblock 1/8" farther away from the headstock if you are using a table saw to make your cuts, but it does not say why. Three steps later the extra length is mentioned again but still does not say why. Can anyone tell me why?

Thanks for your help.

Allen Wall

[Mark McLean]

I have a copy of the Cumpiano and Natelson book (don’t we all) but I have never built an instrument carefully following all of the steps - so I haven’t encountered that instruction until now.  I just looked it up and , like you, I think it is a bit mysterious.  At step 8 you are instructed to cut the neck blank 1/8 inch longer than needed, and then in steps 9 and 10 to make a heel block and glue it to the neck blank (shaft) to this over-length dimension.  Then in step 11 you trim the  whole thing to the correct length.  The extra length is probably just so you can get a clean and joined surface at the correct point.  It is one of the characteristics of the C&N book that it just tells you what to do, but rarely explains why.  Very Catholic - not in the religious sense, but in the method of instruction to the faithful.  But due respect to Mr C and Mr N,  true pioneers and visionaries.  

[Allen L Wall]

Hello Mark

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it. This is not my first build but I guess it's the first time I actually paid attention to the phrase, and wondered why.  Maybe that's one of the reasons I'm not Catholic. You are right about the book and the authors. Thanks again for your reply.

Happy Trails

Allen

[LARRY KLOSE]

To compensate for the kerf from a table saw blade?

Larry

[Allen L Wall]

Ok Larry thanks.